Wawona Meadow has always been a popular spot for visitors, but it has suffered from decades of overuse. It is also one of the largest mid-montane meadows in the Sierra Nevada, and provides vital habitat for two threatened bird species: willow flycatcher and great gray owl.

With support from Conservancy donors, park crews filled deep channels that once drained the wet meadow for grazing, allowing natural hydrological processes to resume. With the return of natural hydrology, a more diverse and native plant community has taken root, thus improving habitat for native wildlife species. A self-guided trail around the meadow serves to educate visitors about its natural and cultural history.